5 Day South Coast Tour Package | Snaefellsnes, Northern Lights & More

During this tour you will discover the true magic of Iceland, visiting the three main national parks of the country; Vatnajokull national park, Thingvellir national park and Snaefellsnes National park.

Only small carry on luggage such as backpacks are possible. Please check with your hotel if they can store your luggage during the tour if you are staying again at the same hotel after the tour. Otherwise you can use luggage lockers that are located in the center Reykjavík. Here is a link to their website where you can find all details. http://www.luggagelockers.is/ We can also offer you to store your luggage for free at NiceTravel office, located in Fiskislóð 45, Space M.To avoid any delays on departure luggage must be in storage before pick up time.

IMPORTANT: It can happen that the ice caving tour is cancelled because of weather and/or safety reasons. Then we will find other activities when possible, and refund the price difference.We reserve the right to change the order of the activities and sightseeing of the itinerary.

Tour Description

During this tour you will discover the true magic of Iceland, visiting the three main national parks of the country; Vatnajokull national park, Thingvellir national park, and Snaefellsnes National park.

For the first two days, you drive along Iceland’s south coast to discover its stunning glaciers, lava fields, volcanoes, strong rivers, and waterfalls. You will also see an amazing black beach scattered with icebergs, next to Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. The stunning Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is where huge icebergs float in ice-cold water and seals swim around them. The highlight in this part of your tour is a visit to the unique Blue Ice cave in Vatnajokull.

On the third day, your journey heads for the famous Golden circle. You will visit the classic destinations Thingvellir, the site of the old Icelandic parliament and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the legendary Geysir and Gullfoss also known as the Golden Waterfall. To add even more to your experience on this fun-filled day you will also visit the volcanic crater called Kerid.

The last part is a fairy-tale adventure around the Snæfellsnes peninsula. Less than 3 hours from Reykjavik, this area combines all the wonders of Iceland in one place: the sea crashing upon the sandy shores, jagged lava fields, waterfalls, imposing cliffs for hiking and photography, and small fishing villages for those who are curious about the culture Iceland. A visit to the Vatnshellir Lave cave is included in the tour.

Join this 5-day adventure for an unforgettable experience. Included is accommodation for 4 nights with breakfast, entrance to Blue Ice Cave and Vatnshellir Lave Cave with all safety gear provided an entrance to the Kerid Volcanic Crater and Bjarnarhofn shark museum.

Please note: it is only possible to bring a small carry on luggage such as backpacks for the tour.

Day 1: south coast, waterfalls, and black beach

Setting out from Reykjavík, you will drive along route 1 passing through small towns and enjoying the beauty of the Icelandic countryside. Your first stop will be at the famous Seljalandsfoss waterfall, which is located beneath the Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Remember to ask your tour guide all about the colossal eruption back in 2010. Close by is the beautiful but less known waterfall Gljufrabui.

Next up is the stunning Skogafoss, a drop of 60 m (200ft) of natural raw power that must be seen to be believed. You will then have the additional pleasure of visiting the secret waterfalls of Kvernufoss and Írafoss.

Then it is on to Reynisfjara, a black sand beach nestling under Mt. Reynisfjall – seasonal home to numerous puffins that dive from its cliffs out to sea. Black basalt has been shaped into amazing different formations, most notably the famous Reynisdrangar. Beware the might of the Atlantic Ocean which looms with its powerful waves.

At the end of the day, your accommodation awaits in hotel Geirland, a lovely country hotel located next to the village of Kirkjubaejarklaustur. On the way there and during the night, we will look out for the Northern Lights if conditions are favorable to see them.

Day 2: glacier lagoon & ice Cave

Today, you set off in the morning for a totally unique experience. A visit to a natural stunning Blue Ice cave will be the highlight of the day.

You start by driving to the Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. This famous lagoon is filled with huge chunks of ice that have cracked off Breiðamerkurjökull glacier and float slowly out to sea. Some icebergs wash on shore, lying on the vivid black sand like diamonds on satin and from there, your Ice cave adventure will begin.

The ice caves only form in the winter when glacial water freezes to create this unique natural phenomenon. Each season, the local glacier experts find the best caves to visit in an enjoyable and safe way. From the glacier lagoon, they drive you through the best of Icelandic highlands in a special Super Jeep to the ice cave. There you will have about an hour to explore and enjoy the magical blue caves. Please do not forget to bring your camera!

After this unforgettable adventure, you drive back to the Jokulsarlon where you join the bus again. From there, you drive to the Skaftafell national park where the amazing views will take your breath away!

On the way back to Reykjavik, you will, of course, be able to enjoy the beautiful nature of the South Coast and to make a quick stop in Vik village for some refreshments, while keeping an eye out for the Northern lights if conditions are right.

Day 3: The Golden Circle & kerið

After spending the night in an accommodation in the Reykjavik area, your next day takes you to the world-famous Golden Circle.

Today you will visit Geysers, Gullfoss and Thingvellir. We want to add something unique to your experience and that’s why we will also visit the Volcanic Crater Kerid.

First on the agenda is a visit to Thingvellir National park. It lies within the belt of volcanic activity and fissures which pass across Iceland, a part of the mid-Atlantic ridge, the junction of the American and Eurasian tectonic plates. It is a nice feeling to stand with your right foot in Europe and the left one in America. This amazing place is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is shrouded in the history of Iceland and the Vikings of the past.

Next stop is the Geysir – the biggest geysers of Haukadalur are Strokkur and Geysir itself, which gives the others their name. Strokkur erupts every 5 to 10 minutes, throwing a column of water into the air to a height of 20 to 30 meters. Here you can also buy some refreshments or lunch.

From Geysir, we drive to Gullfoss. Known as the Golden Waterfall, this is one of the most amazing waterfalls in Iceland, powerful and beautiful as it rushes down from two tiers into an ancient valley.

Last on the agenda is a visit to the Volcanic Crater Kerid. The crater is 270 m wide and more than 55 m deep. There is a lake in the bottom of the crater which gives it a magical and colorful appearance. After enjoying this fantastic creation of nature, you return to your accommodation in the Reykjavik area.

Day 4: beautiful snæfellsnes national park, black beach, lava caving and more

The day begins with a drive along the west coast through the town of Borgarnes all the way to the beach in Ytri Tunga which is a well-known seal colony. The seals are friendly and curious and will climb up on the rocks near the sandy beach.

The next stop is the fishing hamlet Arnarstapi and then Hellnar where you will have time to walk along the cliffs for half an hour; the view to the sea from this hike is breathtaking.

In Djúpalónssandur you will discover incredible rock formations. The beaches are covered with small black stones which are unique. You will hike to one of the most impressive formations called Lóndrangar, which are a pair of rock pinnacles made of basalt approximately 70 m high.

After enjoying the many amazing sites above ground level it is now time to journey towards the Center of the Earth! You will go caving in the Vatnshellir lave cave where you can see the tumult of the volcanic landscape up close. This cave was created by volcanic eruption 7.000 ago.

You will also stop in Saxhóll which is an old 100 m high volcanic crater. There is a good path to the top of the crater where you can enjoy one of the most spectacular views in the area. From the magical Snæfellsnesjökull glacier to the mighty Atlantic Ocean, the scenery is simply amazing.

At the end of the day, you will finish with a drive through three small fishing villages on the way to the atmospheric village of Stykkisholmur, scene of the famous movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”. There you will enjoy a lovely evening and spend the night in the unique Hotel Fransiskus, a beautiful hotel located in a former monastery. The rooms are cozy and comfortable with private bathrooms.

Day 5: kirkjufell mountain, shark museum, waterfalls & hot springs

After a refreshing rest and having breakfast at the hotel, your day starts on a high with a visit to the majestic Kirkjufell mountain, which is one of the most popular photo stops in Iceland. If you have not used your camera before on the tour then this one is a must! You will also visit the Bjarnarhöfn Shark Museum, where you can taste some traditional Icelandic shark with a local schnapps while viewing hundreds of fishing and boating artifacts.

Driving across the Snæfellsnes peninsula, your next stop is at Gerðuberg, a big wall of huge Basalt columns. The cliff is 500 m long and 12 to 14 meters high, one of the highest in Iceland. This is one of the marvels of nature that just makes you stop and wonder about the architectural brilliance of mother earth.

Next is the visit to the historic Borgarfjordur area where you will see the great Hraunfossar, a series of waterfalls formed by rivulets streaming over a distance of about 900 m (almost 300 ft!) across the Hallmundarhraun lava field, which flow from an eruption of one of the volcanoes lying under the glacier Langjökull. The waterfalls pour into the Hvítá River from ledges created by less porous rock in the lava.

Literally a stone’s throw upstream from Hraunfossar, you will visit another waterfall called Barnafoss. Its name, “the waterfall of the children,” comes from an accident which is said to have taken place here in a previous century. There was a natural stone bridge over the waterfall, and two children from a nearby farm fell to their deaths crossing the river on the bridge. Afterwards, the grief-stricken mother had the bridge destroyed.

Finally, take in the sights at Deildartunguhver, the highest-flow hot spring in Europe, providing 180 liters per second of 100 C hot water! Thread the path carefully while watching and hearing the powerful energy of the hot spring at work.

After this adventure exploring the Wild West of Iceland for two unforgettable days, you set off back to Reykjavik arriving there in time to enjoy the rest of your night while reflecting on the beauty of the Icelandic nature.